This online course will introduce registered nurses to the art and science of oncology nursing practice. Oncology patients receive care from all health care settings - including acute care teaching hospitals, tertiary care centers, general hospitals and community care. Given the increasing complexity of this growing patient population, caring for people with cancer and their families involves a particular set of advanced skills and knowledge.

This course covers foundational concepts in oncology nursing practice. It is up to date, with engaging and clinically relevant interactive activities and case studies. The following areas are included in the curriculum: cell biology and genetics, diagnosis, staging and treatment of cancer with symptom management for 6 common side effects; disease process for four most common types of cancers: lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer; common oncological emergencies including immediate nursing assessment and interventions; as well as the management of cancer symptoms and psychosocial distress.

Regulated health care professionals working along the cancer care continuum are encouraged to take the Cancer Care Basics course with us, which has similar content.

If you have already completed the Cancer Care Basics course with us, to complete your learning, we recommend that you take the Cancer Disease Sites Series courses relevant to your practice. We DO NOT recommend the "Foundations for Oncology Nursing Practice" course because of content overlap with the "Cancer Care Basics" course. Please note that if you choose to take both "Cancer Care Basics" and "Foundations for Oncology Nursing Practice", only one of them will recieve a de Souza credits towards a de Souza Designation.